Travel Information

EU citizens do not require a visa for entry to Cyprus, but they must carry a passport which must be valid at least until the day of departure from Cyprus, or their national identity card provided there is a photo and the citizenship is declared.

The Embassy of Cyprus recommends that Finnish nationals use their passport when traveling to Cyprus.

Τhe following categories are exempted from the visa requirement for entry into Cyprus:

Third country nationals, holders of a valid Schengen visa (type: double or multiple entry), who have already entered the Schengen area in accordance with the terms upon which their Schengen visa was issued, may travel to Cyprus without a Cypriot national visa and stay in Cyprus for a period equal to the remainder of the time for which the Schengen visa is valid.

Pursuant to EU regulations 265/2010 of 25.3.2010 and 562/2006 of 15.3.2006, aliens/third country nationals (except Turkish nationals or holders of other travel documents specified in relevant EU regulations) who hold a long stay visa or valid residence permits issued by one of the EU/EEA Member States (except United Kingdom and Ireland) or Switzerland, may enter the Republic of Cyprus without a prior visa, provided they fulfil the entry conditions in accordance with these Regulations.

Holders of travel documents issued to recognised refugees under the UN Convention relating to Refugees of 28 July 1951, do not require a visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus, if their travel documents are issued by an EU member state or by a member-state of Schengen (incl.Norway and Iceland) or by a state listed in Annex II to the Council Regulation 539/2001 as per its amendment.

Holders of travel documents issued to stateless persons under the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons of 28 September 1954, do not require a visa if the documents are issued by an EU member state or by a member state of Schengen (incl. Norway and Iceland) and the holders of these documents are residing in this Member State.

In accordance with EU Regulation 1932/2006 of 21.12.2006, recognised refugees and stateless persons or other persons who do not hold the nationality of any country who reside in an EU/EEA Member State and are holders of a travel document issued by that Member State.

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Cyprus(for a period up to three months) provided that they are considered to be bona-fide visitors:

Special Administrative Regions of the Peoples' Republic of China:Hong Kong, Macao

* Only for holders of a biometric passport. Holders of Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate are still required to have a visa for the purpose of traveling to Cyprus.

** Taiwan: The exception from the visa requirement applies only to holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number.Entry into force of EU Regulation no 610/2013 - Amendments regarding the entry conditions of third country nationals.In the light of the entry into force, on 19 July 2013, of the following Regulation of the EU no. 610/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council of 26th June 2013, following the Press release of the Civil Registry and Migration Department dated 18 of July 2013 on the same matter, we would like to clarify the following, for the purpose of better informing the public.

The changes introduced by the Regulation in passport controls concern exclusively third country nationals, not EU nationals or Cyprus citizens.

The most important amendments of the Regulation provide that third country nationals entering a Member State (e.g. Cyprus) must:

- be in possession of a valid travel document, which must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States, and
- the valid travel document must have been issued within the previous 10 years from the date of entry to the Member State.

It must be underlined that, Cyprus, as an EU Member State, is obliged to apply the aforementioned amendments, although it has not joined the Schengen area yet.
CIVIL REGISTRY AND MIGRATION DEPARTMENT 23.07.2013

Entry into force of Regulation no 610/2013 - Amendments regarding the entry conditions of third country nationals.In the light of entry into force on 19 July 2013, of the Regulation of the EU no 610/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council of 26th of June 2013, regarding the amendment of Regulation 562/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15th of March 2006, establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across the borders (Schengen Borders Code) the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95 and EC 529/2001 and Regulations (EC) 767/2008 and EC No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council,

the public is informed that from the 19th of July 2013, the Republic of Cyprus will implement fully the provisions of the aforementioned Regulation.

It is noted that the Schengen Borders Code establishes common rules on standards and procedures for the control of entry of persons at external borders of the Member States of the European Union and its implementation is obligatory for Cyprus. The above Regulation introduces several amendments aiming to increase the clarity of the Schengen Borders Code and limit prospects of different interpretations by the Member States.

An important amendment that should be especially noted, is the one regarding the conditions of entry for third country nationals. The Regulation mentions that for intended stays on the territory of the Member States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, which entails considering the 180-day period preceding each day of the stay, third country nationals must be in possession of a valid travel document, which must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States (in a justified case of emergency this obligation may be waived) and which must have been issued within the previous 10 years from the date of entry to the Member State.CIVIL REGISTRY AND MIGRATION DEPARTMENT 18.07.2013

Basic requirements for a visa

Passport - valid at least 6 months beyond the period of intended stay

Residence permit for the return country (Finland) valid for at least three months

One completed application form signed by the applicant

Return ticket.

Confirmed booking of accommodation.

Up to date 'Personbevis'

A bank statement, indicating that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the intended stay in Cyprus, e.g. bank statement. A recent (less than one month old) official letter from the employer addressed to the Cyprus Consulate with proof of the applicants wages/salary. If self-employed, a letter from the solicitor, the accountant or the bank manager of the applicant. If as student in the country of the Consulate, an original letter from the school of University addressed to the Cyprus Consulate confirming the status/attendance and the duration of the course.

One recent photograph.

Visa fee of 20€ [Short-stay Visa (1-90 days) (Category C)]

A self-addressed stamped envelope in order to send the passport back to the applicant

If visiting on business, an official letter of invitation from a Cyprus company must be presented, indicating the purpose of travel.

If visiting friends or family, a letter of invitation from them with their full address, phone number and occupation in Cyprus (and often, along with a certified Assumption of Responsibility form, duly completed and signed by the host). The Consulate may also ask for a copy of a Bank Guarantee Letter from the host, throughout a visitor's stay in Cyprus, so as to cover the possible cost of repatriation. Bank Guarantee Letters are issued for the amount of:

€ 855 for visitors from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, and other Asian countries

€ 510 for visitors from the CIS and other Eastern European countries

€ 350 for visitors from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and other Middle East countries.

If visiting Cyprus as a member of a group (sports team, choir, etc) a letter from the manager indicating that the applicant is a member of the delegation and that the management assumes responsibility for the costs of travel, accommodation and maintenance, if such is the case.

The following entry regulations apply only to the areas controlled by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Passport is required, except for holders of:

Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations. Document issued to stateless persons and recognized refugees. Citizens of a member state of the EU, as well as, of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may enter Cyprus with their national identity card (provided there is a photo identification on it).

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus strictly refuses admission to holders of “passports” issued illegally by the secessionist and so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC").

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only recognized Government on the island member-state of the EU since 1.5.2004, as well as member of the UN and other International organizations. As a result of the Turkish military presence and occupation, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is not in a position to exercise effective control over the occupied areas of the Republic. The so-called "TRNC" has been condemned and declared as both illegal and invalid by the whole of the International Community through Security Council Resolutions 541/83 and 550/84. With the sole exception of Turkey, no state in the world or International Organization recognizes the secessionist entity.

Presently, it is possible for foreign tourists who visit the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, to cross to the occupied areas.

Staying in Greek Cypriot owned hotels in the occupied areas, which are being illegally exploited, would put you at great risk of possible legal action on the part of the legal owners.

Travelers entering the Republic of Cyprus via the illegal / closed airports and ports (i.e. all the airports and ports in the occupied areas), are in breach of national law of the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore, you are urged to travel via the recognized ports of entry (provided that a visa has been granted to you), so as to avoid any possible problems . The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Any entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal.